Keira is 9 months old!

Can you believe it?

The sweater and hat she is wearing in these pictures were handmade by my Aunt Karla.

Keira is doing great and is developing such a little personality.  She is a very smiley baby and loves getting attention. She coos, blows bubbles, and YELLS a lot.  Unfortunately she is definitely showing delays in her motor development (probably at a 4 month level), but that is expected given her prematurity.  She's not quite rolling over yet (although we are ALMOST there!), but she loves to kick, punch, and chew everything in sight.  She discovered her feet last week so that has been a constant source of amusement for her.  We are continuing to have Early Intervention come out every other week to help Keira catch up and her therapist is pleased with the strides she is making so far.  She assures us that with patience and hardwork, Keira will start hitting her milestones soon enough.  She is still on oxygen, but just at night.  I frequent an online support board for parents of preemies.  One of the women I have befriended has a daughter who is also on supplemental oxygen and she sent me these little adhesives called Tender Grips that I now use to hold on Keira's cannula.  The greatest thing about them is that they firmly hold the cannula in place when it is needed, but also allow for us to take the cannula off during the day without irritating her skin like the tape did.  It is so nice to be rid of the cannula during her awake times and I think she likes it a whole lot better to not be tethered to a long cord 24 hours a day.  

We couldn't be more proud of our Keira (or KiKi Leigh as we sometimes call her....Claire thinks it's the funniest) and just how far she's come so far.  What a little miracle she is.

At her most recent Dr's appointment, Keira weighed 13lbs 5oz and measured 24 inches in length.  You should see those chubby thighs!